Having lived in Calgary for 62 years, it was my good fortune to see Will and the Rovers quite often. Will also had a kid's show on local TV, so was very popular. God bless the Irish Rovers.
This was one of the most fun groups I ever saw in performance. Jimmy Ferguson was a big, rolling, happy, man. Will Millar seemed to push a bit out front, but the Irish Rovers always made your heart swell with happiness. They had wonderful harmonies and kept things light and lively. For years, they kept us from turning the television channel, once you hit them mid-song!
My name is Lily Lorraine, First time I heard this band play the song. I love folk music , being Cornish , especially Celtic songs. I am having this song played at my funeral as I leave the church and hope it's a stomping goodbye with smiles among the tears. Xxxxxx
That's the point. This song is based on an old folk song that is a satire of Lydia Pinkham, a 19th century patent medicine seller who sold her 'medicine compound' or 'vegetable compound' that really didn't do much of anything. I think it's still around actually.
It was a mixture of herbs that was neither helpful nor harmful; but the herbs were steeped in alcohol. Which was really why the ladies who drank it felt so much better. Her family were very much involved in the abolitionist movement; Frederick Douglass was a good friend of her father's. The composer Daniel Pinkham was her grandson; the proceeds from the medicinal compound payed is way to music school.
Me Grandfather died when me mother was only 13. His name was Francis Martin and I’m incredibly proud to share his name as one of me middle names. Especially when me mother tells me of the stories of when the Irish Rovers would come to her house after a concert, because the band was friends with me Grandfather. I wish I had been able to meet me Gramps Frank, however watching the Irish Rovers live makes me feel close as we’ve ever been
I take classes in Lydia's old factory. Her house was a funeral parlor for awhile, and several relatives were waked there. She was a real person, and a local celebrity.
This video is of the guys in their best years - the early-to-mid 1970s. Not that they haven't always been great, just that those were their best years - the time of their TV show. Would love to see the rest of the concert posted here.
Fifty years ago today on September 12th, 1969 the Irish Rovers were guests on the nationally syndicated weekday-afternoon television program, 'The Mike Douglas Show'... They didn't have a charted record at the time, but earlier in 1969 on March 16th their "Lily The Pink" peaked at #15 {for 2 weeks} on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart... They had four records make Billboard's Top 100 chart; "The Unicorn"* {#7 in 1968}, "(The Puppet Song) Whiskey On A Sunday" {#75 in 1968}, "The Biplane, Ever More" {#91 in 1968}, and "Wasn't That A Party" {#37 in 1981}... * "The Unicorn" peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on the Adult Contemporary Tracks chart, the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly" by Hugo Montenegro and Orchestra & Chorus...
I've loved this song since I was a kid but I was always sorry listening to it on the album that it didn't include the verse that nationalist kids in the North of Ireland said in the 70s about Ian Paisley. "Oh, Ian Paisley, he was crazy, so they put him in a ho-o-ome, where they gave him medicinal compound, and now he's joined the Church of Rome."
This is the sort of song where you can, if you have a talent for that sort of thing, add new verses on contemporary/local topics. Some singers do the same with Gilbert & Sullivan, such as "I've God a Little List" and "The Punishment Fits the Crime."
+Cool Meditation Dude... My dad an sister loved them. Even though the songs are upbeat and nostalgia-inducing, I still feel uneasy with a lot of them, especially the one about the plane
+Cool Meditation I never listened to them till recently, but, i did grow addicted to them, sadly, they will no longer do tours. They have sung, there swan song. :(
Brings back a lot of memories. The Rovers based themselves in Vancouver forra lotta years. I kinda grew up on them. That and the Pig and Whistle Show that was a bar down on Hastings Street, played London/Cockney music mostly. Rare old times.
We have an Irish Rover CD we play in our Silverado - we have twin 4 yr old granddaughters that know the words to this song and sing along with us - and they always ask to hear "Nancy Whiskey"... LOL
Irish rover were once on a show called the pig n whistle ,i never forgot miss Kate . the pig n whistle had its own intro song. fond memories of my child hood .❤
Thank you so much for posting a concert performance! I used to see them EVERY year in March in Flint MI (for decades). It was one of the highlights of the year. They were always available after the show for autographs and conversation. I have many autographed albums and dozens of wonderful memories. The heart went out of me when Jim died and I haven't seen them since.
This is by far this biggest band to come out of Ireland, and I'm sure this still stands even up to this day, was Gilbert )'Sullivan Irish?, cause he was really big there for awhile in the earlier 70's, anyway so it be. The Irish Rovers' biggest song of coarse was The Unicorn in 1968. I may of not heard this song before and it certainly was played on top 40 radio here in Vancouver Cda. Thx4 postin'
@LadyDeerskin This isn't an album - it's a live concert of the Rovers. 'Lily the Pink' is available on more than one album - I know for sure it's available on their 'Greatest Hits' compilation, produced in 1974(?) [yes, it is available on CD].
Roger Mallon jimmy is the one in the blue shirt I think. All members except Jimmy are still around. Will now is a solo artist but the other two have retired.
*Roger Mallon:* Jimmy is the big guy with the brown vest, Will Millar is the guy beside him in the yellow shirt, George Millar, Will's brother, is on the other side of Jimmy, and at the end is the Millar's cousin, Joe Millar. Wilcil McDowell, a friend of the family, is the guy with the accordion. Will left the group and did his own thing (he's a fantastic artist - he paints), Joe Millar has retired from the group, and George and Wilcil still perform and they've added about 4 other guys to the group, including Joe's son. You can get more information on their website and they're also on FB.
She was born in Lynn Massachusetts the city of sin and there still a building over there with Lydia Pinkham on the side of it painted as an ad it's kind of worn off though.. it's for women and it's still for sale today if you can believe it..
We'll drink a drink a drink To Lily the pink the pink the pink The savior of (the savior of) the human race. She invented medicinal compound Most efficacious in every case Here's a story, a little bit gory A little bit happy, a little bit sad Of Lily the Pink and her medicinal compound And how it slowly drove her to the bad Meet Ebenezer, thought he was Julius Caesar. So they put him in a home. And then they gave him medicinal compound, And now he's Emperor of Rome. We'll drink a drink a drink To Lily the pink the pink the pink The savior of (the savior of) the human race. She invented medicinal compound Most efficacious in every case And Freddie Clinger, the opera singer, Who could break glasses with his voice they said. So on his tonsils he rubbed medicinal compound, And now they break glasses over his head. Meet Johnny Hammer had a t-t-terrible s-s-stammer. He could b-barely say a word. So they gave him medicinal compound, And now he's seen, but never heard. We'll drink a drink a drink To Lily the pink the pink the pink The savior of (the savior of) the human race. She invented medicinal compound Most efficacious in every case And Uncle Paul, he was very small. He Was the shortest man in town. So on his body he rubbed medicinal compound, And now he's six foot, but it's underground. Lily died and went up to heaven. Oh, the church bells they did ring. She took with her medicinal compound. Hark the herald angels sing. We'll drink a drink a drink To Lily the pink the pink the pink The savior of (the savior of) the human race. She invented medicinal compound Most efficacious in every case We'll drink a drink a drink To Lily the pink the pink the pink The savior of (the savior of) the human race. She invented medicinal compound Most efficacious in every case
We'll drink a drink a drink to Lizzy the punk, the punk, the punk, the saviour of the human race.. for he invented Metal class compound.. now he's driving zugs, into the grounds
We'll drink and drink and drink to lily the pink, the pink the pink The saviour of the human race! For she invented, Medicinal Compound (sorry if you're joking)
That medicine was the topic of an earlier American drinking song called "The Ballad of Lydia Pinkham", which of course, had lots of bawdy verses. It was popular during World War I. A UK group called The Scaffold reworked it into "Lily the Pink" in 1968 sans blue lyrics.
+frotz661 the first time I heard this song was in the late 50's while in college. it was sung by Oscar brand who had bawdy record albums. even though I am not Krishna I really liked it. I also, heard the Krishna rover's, live, sing the song. thanks for the history lesson
It was called Lydia Pinkham's Vegetable Compound, and her factory was in her home town of Lynn, MA. It now houses small businesses and art studios. We're very proud of our Lydia, helping ailing women everywhere to get a buzz on!
Love this, brings back fun child hood memories. ❤
I remember watching The Irish Rovers with my mom every Sunday night on the CBC when I was a child. One of my favorite memories.
Having lived in Calgary for 62 years, it was my good fortune to see Will and the Rovers quite often. Will also had a kid's show on local TV, so was very popular. God bless the Irish Rovers.
This was one of the most fun groups I ever saw in performance. Jimmy Ferguson was a big, rolling, happy, man. Will Millar seemed to push a bit out front, but the Irish Rovers always made your heart swell with happiness. They had wonderful harmonies and kept things light and lively. For years, they kept us from turning the television channel, once you hit them mid-song!
My name is Lily Lorraine, First time I heard this band play the song. I love folk music , being Cornish , especially Celtic songs. I am having this song played at my funeral as I leave the church and hope it's a stomping goodbye with smiles among the tears. Xxxxxx
RIP Jim - you were the best, and there'll never be another like you. You are very much missed ...
Saw this live on St Paddys day. I still can't believe I got to see it live.
Holy crap. I think I just witnessed one of the greatest performances in all history.
I am so grateful for The Irish Rovers
We sang this song when we were in Primary 1 for all the parents... no doubt they wouldn't let kids sing this song these days but we all loved it!
That's the point. This song is based on an old folk song that is a satire of Lydia Pinkham, a 19th century patent medicine seller who sold her 'medicine compound' or 'vegetable compound' that really didn't do much of anything. I think it's still around actually.
Interesting
It was a mixture of herbs that was neither helpful nor harmful; but the herbs were steeped in alcohol. Which was really why the ladies who drank it felt so much better.
Her family were very much involved in the abolitionist movement; Frederick Douglass was a good friend of her father's.
The composer Daniel Pinkham was her grandson; the proceeds from the medicinal compound payed is way to music school.
I never knew that!
@@marvinthemaniac7698 Pretty cool and interesting little bit of history from a fun song!
@@DrYazman damn right
Hats off! Wonderful memories revived.
Me Grandfather died when me mother was only 13. His name was Francis Martin and I’m incredibly proud to share his name as one of me middle names. Especially when me mother tells me of the stories of when the Irish Rovers would come to her house after a concert, because the band was friends with me Grandfather. I wish I had been able to meet me Gramps Frank, however watching the Irish Rovers live makes me feel close as we’ve ever been
I take classes in Lydia's old factory. Her house was a funeral parlor for awhile, and several relatives were waked there. She was a real person, and a local celebrity.
Loved this song ever since i was a youngster, Well done The Irish Rovers. 1st class.
Must say that the Irish Rovers were a favorite.Used to be on the jukebox of my favorite waterhole with the Unicorn.
This video is of the guys in their best years - the early-to-mid 1970s. Not that they haven't always been great, just that those were their best years - the time of their TV show. Would love to see the rest of the concert posted here.
Fifty years ago today on September 12th, 1969 the Irish Rovers were guests on the nationally syndicated weekday-afternoon television program, 'The Mike Douglas Show'...
They didn't have a charted record at the time, but earlier in 1969 on March 16th their "Lily The Pink" peaked at #15 {for 2 weeks} on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart...
They had four records make Billboard's Top 100 chart; "The Unicorn"* {#7 in 1968}, "(The Puppet Song) Whiskey On A Sunday" {#75 in 1968}, "The Biplane, Ever More" {#91 in 1968}, and "Wasn't That A Party" {#37 in 1981}...
* "The Unicorn" peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on the Adult Contemporary Tracks chart, the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly" by Hugo Montenegro and Orchestra & Chorus...
I've loved this song since I was a kid but I was always sorry listening to it on the album that it didn't include the verse that nationalist kids in the North of Ireland said in the 70s about Ian Paisley. "Oh, Ian Paisley, he was crazy, so they put him in a ho-o-ome, where they gave him medicinal compound, and now he's joined the Church of Rome."
Love it!
This is the sort of song where you can, if you have a talent for that sort of thing, add new verses on contemporary/local topics. Some singers do the same with Gilbert & Sullivan, such as "I've God a Little List" and "The Punishment Fits the Crime."
Hahaha... He died ...
He converted to Catholicism.
Brilliant!! 😂😂
Looking back - I can't believe we sung this in primary school.
People werent as uptight back then..love these guys
And I am so glad we did! 👍
Ya can’t say anything these days
Music honey is forever.
I can remember this song when I was small. Thanks for uploading it.
+Cool Meditation Dude... My dad an sister loved them. Even though the songs are upbeat and nostalgia-inducing, I still feel uneasy with a lot of them, especially the one about the plane
+Cool Meditation I never listened to them till recently, but, i did grow addicted to them, sadly, they will no longer do tours. They have sung, there swan song. :(
I just got to go see them in Nova Scotia Canada what a fun time!
Quite a show.Glory,glory to Jesus
Thank you for sharing this uplifting music! God bless everyone from Patrick
Ireland the envy of many.Worth staying Irish for many.
Brings back a lot of memories. The Rovers based themselves in Vancouver forra lotta years. I kinda grew up on them. That and the Pig and Whistle Show that was a bar down on Hastings Street, played London/Cockney music mostly. Rare old times.
I loved watching those classics growing up in Alberta ❤❤❤
Thanks, Melitta, for sharing this upbeat, happy tune. Thanks to ratlinbog for posting it. and to the musicians for all your effort.
This is one of the catchiest songs of all time
We have an Irish Rover CD we play in our Silverado - we have twin 4 yr old granddaughters that know the words to this song and sing along with us - and they always ask to hear "Nancy Whiskey"... LOL
This song was hilarious and no one could “perform” it better than the Irish Rovers!
WHAT A FANTASTIC SONG ,BUT BETTER THAN THE SONG,, IS THE WAY THEY PERFORMED IT !!!
AH !!! A GOODIE FOR ALL OF US !!!
Nahanni-Yukon first time I heard this song, love it, of course, never heard one from the I idnt!
Worth staying Irish with people like that.The earth rejoices.
Such great voices
Am a protestant,, but I like this,! But have family are from both sides,! God Bless from northern Ireland UK, 🤝🇬🇧❤
Catchy... Stuck in my head....
This is such a fun jumpy song!
Irish rover were once on a show called the pig n whistle ,i never forgot miss Kate . the pig n whistle had its own intro song. fond memories of my child hood .❤
Haven't heard this in at least 50 years.
Fantastic as usual!
These guys are perfect Irish blowks . Great harmony. Can't wait for ST Patty's day we sing this till the rafters shake.
This is referred to in the Robert Barnard book "Death of a Perfect Mother"; she attempted to sing it in a pub while her embarrassed kids looked on.
FOREVER stuck in my head!!❤❤🎉🎉🎉😂😂
I saw them live twice at the Front Row Theater in Cleveland (sadly gone now). It was a great show both times.
I like this better then the original. Better voices, better lyrics, and the rovers are just better performers.
I agree with you they mike it very funny and very interesting to listen to
Ty , ratinbog !!!
for Lily the Pink !!
I love you guys
When he asks if he was ok, he looks legitimately pissed in the video....XD
No he is not
Thank you so much for posting a concert performance! I used to see them EVERY year in March in Flint MI (for decades). It was one of the highlights of the year. They were always available after the show for autographs and conversation. I have many autographed albums and dozens of wonderful memories. The heart went out of me when Jim died and I haven't seen them since.
Excellent rendition of Lily the Pink
Just read about Lydia Pinkham's Vegetable Compound and was...wait a minute!!
Wow, you are so lucky. I would love to meet them.
will miller, the guy who always wears the hat, is soooooo CUTE!!!
20 people had a stuttering issue, was given medicinal compound, and was seen but never heard.
: ) I love this song and always drink to Lilly the pink
i love this grup
greetings from germany
This is by far this biggest band to come out of Ireland, and I'm sure this still stands even up to this day, was Gilbert )'Sullivan Irish?, cause he was really big there for awhile in the earlier 70's, anyway so it be. The Irish Rovers' biggest song of coarse was The Unicorn in 1968. I may of not heard this song before and it certainly was played on top 40 radio here in Vancouver Cda. Thx4 postin'
The Irish Rovers are a Canadian band from Toronto.
@@FRLN500 True, but they were all born and raised in Northern Ireland.
U2, cranberries, sinead o conor, and the rest. And you think this is the biggest irish band?
Richard Anthony a French singer also does this song in French.
Thanks! I thought my drunk buddy made this up...who knew it's a real song?
Bwahahaha
always loved this song
That hat is everything
@LadyDeerskin This isn't an album - it's a live concert of the Rovers. 'Lily the Pink' is available on more than one album - I know for sure it's available on their 'Greatest Hits' compilation, produced in 1974(?) [yes, it is available on CD].
Wonderful😊😊😊😊
HAPPY ST PADDY'S!
Great music! Salute from Russia!
Shoutout to George(?)'s Han Solo cosplay
Lmao
watching these guys bring back so many memories. Are these guys still around? I know Jimmy died, which one is Jimmy in this video?
Roger Mallon jimmy is the one in the blue shirt I think. All members except Jimmy are still around. Will now is a solo artist but the other two have retired.
*Roger Mallon:* Jimmy is the big guy with the brown vest, Will Millar is the guy beside him in the yellow shirt, George Millar, Will's brother, is on the other side of Jimmy, and at the end is the Millar's cousin, Joe Millar. Wilcil McDowell, a friend of the family, is the guy with the accordion. Will left the group and did his own thing (he's a fantastic artist - he paints), Joe Millar has retired from the group, and George and Wilcil still perform and they've added about 4 other guys to the group, including Joe's son. You can get more information on their website and they're also on FB.
Great song!
I don't understand half the wordS but I love this song.
This one sung by the Rovers is called Lydia Pinkham - later sung by a British comedy group and called Lily the Pink.
Jimmy kills me
He was the best of the best.
She was born in Lynn Massachusetts the city of sin and there still a building over there with Lydia Pinkham on the side of it painted as an ad it's kind of worn off though.. it's for women and it's still for sale today if you can believe it..
I have a man crush on Jimmy ferguson,damn he makes me laugh R.I.P my friend
We'll drink a drink a drink
To Lily the pink the pink the pink
The savior of (the savior of) the human race.
She invented medicinal compound
Most efficacious in every case
Here's a story, a little bit gory
A little bit happy, a little bit sad
Of Lily the Pink and her medicinal compound
And how it slowly drove her to the bad
Meet Ebenezer, thought he was Julius Caesar.
So they put him in a home.
And then they gave him medicinal compound,
And now he's Emperor of Rome.
We'll drink a drink a drink
To Lily the pink the pink the pink
The savior of (the savior of) the human race.
She invented medicinal compound
Most efficacious in every case
And Freddie Clinger, the opera singer,
Who could break glasses with his voice they said.
So on his tonsils he rubbed medicinal compound,
And now they break glasses over his head.
Meet Johnny Hammer had a t-t-terrible s-s-stammer.
He could b-barely say a word.
So they gave him medicinal compound,
And now he's seen, but never heard.
We'll drink a drink a drink
To Lily the pink the pink the pink
The savior of (the savior of) the human race.
She invented medicinal compound
Most efficacious in every case
And Uncle Paul, he was very small. He
Was the shortest man in town.
So on his body he rubbed medicinal compound,
And now he's six foot, but it's underground.
Lily died and went up to heaven.
Oh, the church bells they did ring.
She took with her medicinal compound.
Hark the herald angels sing.
We'll drink a drink a drink
To Lily the pink the pink the pink
The savior of (the savior of) the human race.
She invented medicinal compound
Most efficacious in every case
We'll drink a drink a drink
To Lily the pink the pink the pink
The savior of (the savior of) the human race.
She invented medicinal compound
Most efficacious in every case
Hooray for Lydia Pinkham "Lily the Pink:
during the stammering bit I thought my internet was broken. I had the music on in the background
Eleven people definitely need medicinal compounds.
Or as my Granny would say "they need a good smack across the head"
after you both ofcourse
Two of them are Trump and Putin. (Oh, let's not forget Un]. =Stefan=
@@JoseGonzalez-fc6tl Well it sounds like you since you brought it up. So.......
@@chengloki: Can't you just ENJOY the music without shoving your warped PC leftist political views into it?!??!!! TYPICAL leftist!!
biy you was surprised may be when she turned up again which year was this concert
A+++
Paul McCartney's brother was in The Scaffold.
Here to us
irish rovers ftw
We'll drink a drink a drink to Lizzy the punk, the punk, the punk, the saviour of the human race.. for he invented Metal class compound.. now he's driving zugs, into the grounds
We'll drink and drink and drink to lily the pink, the pink the pink The saviour of the human race! For she invented, Medicinal Compound
(sorry if you're joking)
i love this song.one time me and my parents were having my neice lilly listen to this song and she got embarresed!
I could use some my self
Extremely funny!
beer lads,how are you keep,all right that is grant to hear it
Lily the pink scaffolding
I really want to know exactly what happened at 1:26
i hope i can see them before they lose a member case if i don't i will be sad
hey we are realted to her
A bit late, but, great tune!!! //Lars
Drink Drink and drink
Move over "Scaffold" The Irish Rovers are here.
Kamala we have a drink to you😂
La popularizaron The Scafold en el que iba un hermano de Paul McCartney
No Captions as the Ai cannot beat Irish singing (thank f for auto text correct as very drunk)
@VicFerrari308 WOW are you LUCKY!!
Have a Hoot Trundelians.
Lol the high pitched voice
Other way say celtiec fans sing it
there was a medicine called "Lydia ponkham" which was a vegetable compound. I know because I sold it to old ladies
That medicine was the topic of an earlier American drinking song called "The Ballad of Lydia Pinkham", which of course, had lots of bawdy verses. It was popular during World War I. A UK group called The Scaffold reworked it into "Lily the Pink" in 1968 sans blue lyrics.
+frotz661 the first time I heard this song was in the late 50's while in college. it was sung by Oscar brand who had bawdy record albums. even though I am not Krishna I really liked it. I also, heard the Krishna rover's, live, sing the song. thanks for the history lesson
Yes, and it was about 40% alcohol...
It was called Lydia Pinkham's Vegetable Compound, and her factory was in her home town of Lynn, MA. It now houses small businesses and art studios. We're very proud of our Lydia, helping ailing women everywhere to get a buzz on!
They did this after The Scaffold had a hit with it.